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[cruisetopoland]

Hi Folks

Just starting to plan the June trip, this time with Parents coming so 5-up from Leominster to Lodz.

We are thinking of a repeat of Dec/Jan 2010s (arctic!) trip route but would appreciate any comments or ideas anyone has 

Provisional:

Sun pm
1400 Leominster-Harwich
2000 board Stena for evening meal/drinks
2345-0730 Harwich-Hoek van Holland with cabins

Mon
Hoek-Berlin with stops
Best Western Queens Kudamm via Ebay vouchers

Tuesday
Berlin-Lodz with stops

In-laws for a week with various trips planned in and around Lodz

(the following) Weds
Lodz-Berlin with stops
Best Western Queens Kudamm via Ebay vouchers

Thursday
Berlin-Hoek with stops
Board Stena 1800 for evening meal/drinks
2200-0630 Hoek-Harwich

Friday
Harwich-Leominster 1200

The run is about 2100 miles plus excursions, ferry is about £600 for us all with our combination of window cabins, all inclusive evening meal and breakfast.

I know the ferry is much cheaper Dover-Dunkerque, but we have to consider hotel stops and our toddler's sleeping.

Flying is out of the question, unfortunately-would rather have done this for time, cost and hassle factors, but Mother is like BA and ain't goin on no plane, fool 

Any comments, thoughts, recommendations, discounts found etc much appreciated 

[Debs.]

What an adventure!

The dogs and I have been to Budapest in my Miggy; 1200 miles each way (punctuated only by quick stops for a snooze)......The Omega is the perfect long distance cruiser: hopefully the Euro exchange rate will improve before June...or you`ll be shocked by the cost of fuel!

[Plomien]

Sounds good I keep threatening to head to Kolobrzeg but my wife likes a month out there with her family and I can only get 2 weeks off from work at a time so kind of puts a stop to it as I am driving all that way by myself

[cruisetopoland]

What an adventure!

The dogs and I have been to Budapest in my Miggy; 1200 miles each way (punctuated only by quick stops for a snooze)......The Omega is the perfect long distance cruiser: hopefully the Euro exchange rate will improve before June...or you`ll be shocked by the cost of fuel!

Yeah-agreed-German fuel was £1.50 per litre last month, plus card charges 

I'll have LPGed it by then- 30-40p litre in PL 

[webby23]

Geoff

I know you said you like the Hook route, but if thats costing you £600 and Norfolkline are still doing their £19 each way offer that they did when we went, with the remaining £560 you can pay for the fuel both ways (£300 in our 2.0CD auto) and as many excursions in and around Lodz as you like.......

Aushcwitz took us only a couple of hours in the car too, obviously well worth a day out.

We are off May 8th with Wizzair from Donny and cant wait. Hoping to do the run again in the car August/September time

 

[cruisetopoland]

Geoff

I know you said you like the Hook route, but if thats costing you £600 and Norfolkline are still doing their £19 each way offer that they did when we went, with the remaining £560 you can pay for the fuel both ways (£300 in our 2.0CD auto) and as many excursions in and around Lodz as you like.......

Aushcwitz took us only a couple of hours in the car too, obviously well worth a day out.

We are off May 8th with Wizzair from Donny and cant wait. Hoping to do the run again in the car August/September time

 

Hi Martyn

Makes sense 

Have just booked Harwich to Hoek as found Stena voucher code HL20 which knocked off 20%.  We have to take into account the extras and single supplements (Parents) with the £597 fare-overnight window cabins both ways instead of another nights hotel both ways en-route, unlimited food for 5 both ways (evening and morning) and the saving in fuel....plus the maximum amount of time a 2yo and 70yo can sit still 

I guesstimate we're almost there pricewise with all of that???

[cruisetopoland]

Sounds good I keep threatening to head to Kolobrzeg but my wife likes a month out there with her family and I can only get 2 weeks off from work at a time so kind of puts a stop to it as I am driving all that way by myself

Book two weeks holiday then two weeks sick leave-to recover from Vodka and Chrzan poisoning 

[webby23]

Geoff

I know you said you like the Hook route, but if thats costing you £600 and Norfolkline are still doing their £19 each way offer that they did when we went, with the remaining £560 you can pay for the fuel both ways (£300 in our 2.0CD auto) and as many excursions in and around Lodz as you like.......

Aushcwitz took us only a couple of hours in the car too, obviously well worth a day out.

We are off May 8th with Wizzair from Donny and cant wait. Hoping to do the run again in the car August/September time

 

Hi Martyn

Makes sense 

Have just booked Harwich to Hoek as found Stena voucher code HL20 which knocked off 20%.  We have to take into account the extras and single supplements (Parents) with the £597 fare-overnight window cabins both ways instead of another nights hotel both ways en-route, unlimited food for 5 both ways (evening and morning) and the saving in fuel....plus the maximum amount of time a 2yo and 70yo can sit still 

I guesstimate we're almost there pricewise with all of that???

Yep, probably not far off mate

How far is Lodz from Hook any idea?

As for the 2 yr old and 70 yr old buddy it is a very long journey on the best of days......me and my mate did it with just the 2 of us in the car driving non-stop (apart from fuel stops) and it still took 23 hours door to door inc ferry

The only trouble with stopping all the time is that it takes days to get there and days to get back, but like you said, with BA Baracus in the team you aint flying nowhere........!!

As you well know, its a great trip, and the sense of achievement when you arrive is phenomenal......

 

 

[cruisetopoland]

Geoff

I know you said you like the Hook route, but if thats costing you £600 and Norfolkline are still doing their £19 each way offer that they did when we went, with the remaining £560 you can pay for the fuel both ways (£300 in our 2.0CD auto) and as many excursions in and around Lodz as you like.......

Aushcwitz took us only a couple of hours in the car too, obviously well worth a day out.

We are off May 8th with Wizzair from Donny and cant wait. Hoping to do the run again in the car August/September time

 

Hi Martyn

Makes sense 

Have just booked Harwich to Hoek as found Stena voucher code HL20 which knocked off 20%.  We have to take into account the extras and single supplements (Parents) with the £597 fare-overnight window cabins both ways instead of another nights hotel both ways en-route, unlimited food for 5 both ways (evening and morning) and the saving in fuel....plus the maximum amount of time a 2yo and 70yo can sit still 

I guesstimate we're almost there pricewise with all of that???

Yep, probably not far off mate

How far is Lodz from Hook any idea?

As for the 2 yr old and 70 yr old buddy it is a very long journey on the best of days......me and my mate did it with just the 2 of us in the car driving non-stop (apart from fuel stops) and it still took 23 hours door to door inc ferry

The only trouble with stopping all the time is that it takes days to get there and days to get back, but like you said, with BA Baracus in the team you aint flying nowhere........!!

As you well know, its a great trip, and the sense of achievement when you arrive is phenomenal......

 

 

Hoek van Holland to Lodz is only 728 miles 

Will be a bit easier in June compared to travelling sideways most of the way last month 

[cruisetopoland]

Martyn; for reference-

Dunkerque-Lodz 832 miles
Hoek van Holland-Lodz 732 miles

100 miles shorter over there, but only 4 miles closer to Harwich than Dover this end....

[webby23]

 

Martyn; for reference-

Dunkerque-Lodz 832 miles
Hoek van Holland-Lodz 732 miles

100 miles shorter over there, but only 4 miles closer to Harwich than Dover this end....

Big difference in price though

So basically does that equate to £560 for spending a night on a boat minus the cost of 100 miles of fuel each way?

That £560 saved going Dover Dunkerque would easily pay for the hotel stays you need on the way and coming back

I thought Hook was much much closer to Lodz to be honest

I couldnt justify spending that £600 ferry money to myself mate, let alone the Mrs........lol

 

[cruisetopoland]

Martyn; for reference-

Dunkerque-Lodz 832 miles
Hoek van Holland-Lodz 732 miles

100 miles shorter over there, but only 4 miles closer to Harwich than Dover this end....

Big difference in price though

So basically does that equate to £560 for spending a night on a boat minus the cost of 100 miles of fuel each way?

That £560 saved going Dover Dunkerque would easily pay for the hotel stays you need on the way and coming back

I thought Hook was much much closer to Lodz to be honest

I couldnt justify spending that £600 ferry money to myself mate, let alone the Mrs........lol

 

200 miles fuel @ 25mpg loaded, approx £40

2 x nights stays @
£50 family room
£40 single room
£40 single room
£260

Unlimited breakfast for 5 x 2 days £70
3 course evening meal for 5 x 2 days £120

Total approx of extras £490, leaving ferry at £107 approx.

Best thing is, the Parents have paid for the ferry, we'll get the car costs etc 

[webby23]

Hey if they're paying fir it then matey then why not......!!!!
 

[cruisetopoland]

Hey if they're paying fir it then matey then why not......!!!!
 

 8-) 8-) 8-)

If you factor in the number going, that makes a difference-it was much cheaper with just my wife, son and I.

We like Stena Hollandica (better than the Britannica!) and being able to make it an occasion for the Parents first trip with nice food and cabins is great.

Just the three of us would have flown this time, no contest-door to door about 6 hours and £230 return all in 

I may try the Dover-Dunkerque cheapy next time  :-/

[cruisetopoland]

Because of time constraints, not able to do the ebay vouchers as they are for two consecutive nights in Berlin and we will only need one each way 

If you ebay search Berlin Hotel in accommodation, you can bid for Best Western vouchers for 2 nights, 2 people (includes baby) and either a full days ticket on sightseeing bus or public transport-we had a great 2 night stay, inc breakfast and tickets for sightseeing in this 4 star for £75-retail £220++.  There are other options like Marriott or Radisson-we saw a SUITE at Rostock go for £89 

Before bidding, do check they will take the 12 month valid voucher on your preferred dates-we were fine.

Anyone know of anything good and cheap in Magdeburg, Potsdam or Berlin?